Lead Consultant - Operational Excellence

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and retirement benefits

Remote-first culture

Professional growth and certifications

Impactful projects with leading firms

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Consultant to spearhead Operational Excellence initiatives for clients across South Africa in a fully remote role.

You will lead engagements, map value streams, apply Lean and Six Sigma, mentor teams, and drive data-driven improvements, with a focus on cost reduction and performance enhancement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in a related field.
• 7+ years in management consulting or similar, with focus on operational excellence.
• Proven track record leading and delivering operational improvement projects.
• Experience in process mapping, value stream analysis, and root cause analysis.
• Strong data-driven problem-solving and stakeholder management.
• Remote work capability and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead client engagements to improve operational efficiency, productivity and to reduce costs.
• Conduct deep process analyses using Lean and Six Sigma to identify bottlenecks and waste.
• Develop and implement practical data-driven solutions for optimization.
• Design and manage execution of improvement projects with measurable outcomes.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for client teams on operational excellence.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends and track key performance metrics.
• Build relationships with stakeholders at all levels to ensure buy-in and sustainable change.
• Mentor junior consultants on operational improvement projects.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Facilitation

Stakeholder management

Project management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering / Operations Management / Business Administration

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent Management Consultancy, is seeking an experienced Lead Consultant to spearhead initiatives focused on Operational Excellence. This position is entirely remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere in South Africa. You will play a crucial role in helping clients streamline their processes, enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall performance. The ideal candidate possesses a robust understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, process re-engineering, and supply chain optimization. You will lead client engagements, conduct detailed analyses, develop practical solutions, and guide teams through implementation. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply your expertise to drive significant improvements in client operations and contribute to their long-term success within a highly regarded, remote-first consulting environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead client engagements focused on improving operational efficiency, productivity, and cost reduction.
• Conduct in-depth process analyses using methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma to identify bottlenecks and waste.
• Develop and implement practical, data-driven solutions for process optimization and business improvement.
• Design and manage the execution of operational improvement projects, ensuring successful outcomes.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for client teams on operational excellence principles and tools.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, measure performance, and track progress against key metrics.
• Build strong relationships with client stakeholders at all levels, ensuring buy-in and sustainable change.
• Mentor and guide junior consultants involved in operational improvement projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in management consulting or a similar role with a strong focus on operational excellence, Lean, or Six Sigma.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering operational improvement projects for clients.
• Expertise in process mapping, value stream analysis, and root cause analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in project management and team leadership.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt) is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fully remote setting.

Benefits

• A competitive salary package and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Extensive opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and certifications.
• Full remote work flexibility, allowing for an excellent work-life balance.
• Involvement in impactful projects with leading companies.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment, regardless of physical location.
• Access to cutting-edge research and industry best practices.